Ethical non-monogamy? New comedy Splitsville is more about two flawed couples getting messy

The Conversation · Mar 27, 2026 · 772 words · By Sarah Louise Smyth

Analysis Summary

“Dakota Johnson played Anastasia Steele in Fifty Shades of Grey (2015).”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to confirm or refute Dakota Johnson's role in Fifty Shades of Grey (2015).

“The Fifty Shades of Grey franchise has come to define BDSM in the mainstream cultural imagination.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to assess the franchise's cultural impact on BDSM perceptions.

“In The Materialists (2025), Johnson plays Lucy, a high-end matchmaker.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive about Dakota Johnson's role in The Materialists (2025).

“The Materialists makes an effort to address the cynical business of marriage and dangerous outcomes of blind dating.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to evaluate the film's thematic focus on marriage and dating.

“Splitsville is a comedy film written by and starring Kyle Marvin and Michael Angelo Covino, with Covino also directing.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive about Splitsville's production details or cast.

“Open relationships have recently gained mainstream attention alongside other non-heterosexual norms.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to analyze media portrayals of open relationships.

“Open relationships are rarely taken seriously in media portrayals.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to assess media representations of open relationships.

“Splitsville uses open relationships as a metaphor for flawed human behavior.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive about Splitsville's thematic use of open relationships.

“In Splitsville, Carey is married to Ashley and they consider an open marriage.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive about character relationships in Splitsville.

“The film Splitsville depicts open relationships without established rules or boundaries.”

❓ INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE — No evidence in archive to evaluate Splitsville's portrayal of open relationships.

“Splitsville is not a didactic manual for ethical non-monogamy.”

❓ PENDING

“The film Splitsville uses open relationships as a plot device for comedic chaos.”

❓ PENDING

“Carey sleeps with Julie, leading to conflicts between Carey and Paul.”

❓ PENDING

“The men in Splitsville engage in destructive behavior, while women do not.”

❓ PENDING

“Ethical non-monogamy is portrayed as negatively impacted by the film's depiction.”

❓ PENDING